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, (No Model.) I 3 sham-sheet 1. P. H. RICHARDS. BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

No. 369,260; to Patent-ed Aug.30,188'7- i Inventor-5 Wt Lwm m4 W. ww-

r s ShetsSheet 2. *F. H. RICHARDS, BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 30,1887.

-(No Model.) f I 3 SheetsSheet 3.

. P. H. RICHARDS.

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

' Patented Aug..30, 1887.

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ATFNT FHCE.

rRANois H. RIcHA -ns, or sPRINermLD, MAssAbnnsErrs, AssieNoR T run AMERICAN BUTTON FASTENER COMP NY, or NEW BRITAIN; ooN- "NEOTIGUT.

a urro N -s atria NG MAC an: s. i

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent. N0.-369,260, dated AngustSO, 1887.

v Q 7 Application filed July 7, 1887.- Serial No. 243,636. (No model.) i

To all wr'wm it mdy concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANeIs H. RienARns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Setting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

. This invention relates to-machinery for attaching shank-buttons to shoes or fabrics by means of malleable metallic fasteners.

The nvention has for its object to furnish an im roved machine of that class provided with an improved button-fastener magazine 1 and with button-feeding devices for presenting buttons to the fastener=setting mechanism.

For the attainment of this object the invention consists in certain improvements on the buttonsettin'g machine described in Let :0 ters-Patentof the United States No.311,)33, granted to me January 20,1885, and. in the combinations hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figurel is a front elevation of a button-setting machine embodying. my improvements. Fig. 2 isaside elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of a part' of Fig.1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view of a part of Fig. 2. Fig. 5

'30 is a'top view of the parts shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a. vertical longitudinal section inline a a,Fig.- 5. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the center of the feed -wheel and through the-feedstrip guide. Fig. 8 is a side eleva'tion, partially in section and with some parts broken away, illustrating the construction and operation of certain parts of the mechanism. Fig. 9 shows in a-difi'erent posi tion some of the parts which are shown in Fig.

0 8. Figs. 10 and 1 1 are cross-sectional views in line b b, Fig. 9, and illustrate the operation of the movable stop, which, however, is shown unbroken. Fig. 1' 2 isa side sectional view showing the magazine with its cover closed. In

5 Fig. 8 said cover is shown open. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional-yiew in lines a, Fig. 8. Fig. 14

is a cross-sectional view in line d d, Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view in line K K, Fig. 8. Fig. 15 is a vertical section through the same.

ithe respective mechanisms. Said frame has same as the driver described in my aforesaid the presser-slide, and 16 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 17 is a top view of said slide drawn in projection with Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional View in line 6 e, Fig. 15. Fig. 19 is a similar view in lineff, Fig. 15. Fig. 20 is a top view of the presserslide cap, and Fig. 21 is a rear elevation of Fig. 22 is a vertical section through said cap in line h h, Fig. 20. Figs. 23 and 24 are two views in projection of the movable stop and its operating stem and handle. Fig. 25 is a plan view of the under side of thesetting-die.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures. I The frame of the machine,designated in a general way by A, consists or may consist of a hollow casting, substantially as shown, adapted to be snpportedon a column, (3, or otherwise, and to carry the several parts of 7o bearings for a vertical resser-slide, S, for the magazine M and for-the rock-shaft R. It is also constructed to rigidly hold theframe H of the button-feeding apparatus, which frame serves also as a head to carry the settingdieB.

The presser-slide S (best shown in Figs. 15

to 19) isgrooved at 2 on its rear face to receive the driver D, which is supposed to be the patent. Ihe upper end of said slide is formed to receive the cap E, whose back cross-bar, 4;, forms the rearward wall of the driver-channel 4. Said slide S is also grooved at 3 on its front .face to receive the stem 12, of movable stop 5. (Shown in detail in Figs. 23 and 24:.) The upper end of the siide is reduced, as at 60, Figs. 15, 17, to enter cap E, as in Figs. 8 and 9, and the point ofset-screw 41 fits acorresponding countersink,6l,formed in the front side of said reduced part, whereby the cap E is held in place against any rearward or downward pressure on bar 44.. Said slide, which has its lower bearing on the stud P, fixed'in the frame A, is held up by a spring, as 21, and may be depressed by the driver D, provided "the movable stop -5 is set in a proper position therefor, as shown in Fig. 10. The stud P serves as a stop for the driver, it being adjustably secured in the frame A, (see Figs. 8 and 9,) for the purpose of adjusting the downward stroke of said driver.

- The driver 1) is formed at its upper end'to pass through the usual driver-channel, as 4, and may be operated by any suitable meaus,as the teeth of gear G, engaging with the teeth of rack V on the driver. Said driver is provided IO at itslowercxtremity with means-as the horn 20,01 suitable length and proportion-Jot engaging with the movable stop 5 when this is in its operative position. Power is or may be applied to the oscillating segment G through 5 a connectingrod from an ordinary treadle mechanism, as described in my aforesaid patent, he. 311,033.

The movable stop 5 is provided with a stem, 12, and with a handle, 10, whereby it may be :0 swung from its working position in Fig. to its nonworking position in Fig. 11. This stop is used to enable the driver 1) in its downward movement to carry the presser'slide S down wit-h it to release the fabric after the at tachment thereto of a button. \Vhen in the position shown in Fig. 11, said stop allows the driver D to travel to the lower end of its stroke without moving down the presser-slide.

The cap E (shown in detail in Figs. 20 to 22) 3,0 is held in position by a set-screw, 41, Figs. 8

and 9, the point 42 of which is let into slide S, thereby holding said cap securely on said slide and counteracting any tendency of the dieblock B to press down the rear side, 44, of said cap, and thus dislocate the same. This cap is thus removablysecured for the purpose of permitting the convenient opening of the driverchannel in case any fasteners should become jammed in said channel.

The magazine M, usually made removable and held in place by set-screw 70, (shown in Figs. 2, S, i2, 13, and 14,) consists or may consist of a cylindrical rod (either of integral or composite construction) longitudinally grooved (see Fig. 14") to reccivethe T-shaped butt-onfastcncrs with their heads downward. This rod is ordinarily removably fixed in frame A. The magazine is provided with a cover, 6, pivoted at 13, follower 9, and spring S. The cover 6 is provided witha groove, 14, to receive the prongs 15 of the fasteners 17. The sides of flanges 18 18 of said cover reach down to the heads 16 16 of the fasteners 17 to hold these in place while they are slid along 5 5 in the groove of the magazine. The fasteners shown in a body at 17 are thus held between the cover 6 and the lower wall, 19, of magazinetube M. \Vhcn the follower is drawn back, compressing spring 8, as shown in Fig. 8, the

cover 6 may be raised and secured in this position byallowing said follcwerto be held against it by spring 8, as shown in dotted position at 9". Having filled the magazine, the follower may be drawn back to the position shown by full lines, Fig. 8, when the cover an be closed and the follower allowed to go forward, as shown in'Fig. 12. Thefollower performs the double function of driving the fasteners toward the setting mechanism and of locking the cover 6 in place when the same is closed, and it is provided with a horn or projection, 21, which stands behind the fasteners in groove 14 in cover 6.

Fixed in or to the upper part of frame A there is a head or bracket, H, to the under side of which the die-block B, Fig. 6, is attached in the usual manner. This die-block has formed therein the usual concave settingdie, 22, whose position is immediately over the driver-channel4, and a button-shank-rcceiving cavity or socket, 72, into which'the buttonshank is entered by the button-feeding devices.

For presenting the buttons to the settingdie in proper position to be attached to the fabric, I employ a revolving carrier or feedwheel, F, which is similar to that described and claimed in United States Patent No. 319,507, granted to me June 9, 1885. This carrier consists or may consist of a disk provided with teeth 23 and a stem, 26, provided with a ratchet, 2T. Said disk serves also as a stop-plate to prevent the buttons being pushed up too far by the fabric on the prcsser-slide during the operation of the machine. Upon the face of carrier F are a series of buttonholding springs, 25, corresponding in number with the button-recciving pockets or cavities in said fecdavlreel. Thes'e springs may be separate or may be formed on or attached to a disk, 24, turning on the same center as the carrier. These springs hold the shanks 29 of the buttons 45 into the shank-receiving cavity of the setting-die, as shown best in Fig. (i, and the button-Mad up against the lower edge of the carrier. The feed-wheel is actuated by a pawl, 31, engaging with the teeth 35 of ratchet 27, which pawl is carried on an arm, 3:), that is pivotally supported on stud Bil, and is operated from rock-shaft 1t through some suitable connections. These connections may eonsist of an arm, 49, iixcd on said rock-shaft, and the connecting-rod 3s, connected to said arm 49 and arm-32. The buttons are fed to the machine by means of a strip of some flexible material, as 36, through the perforations 37, in which the shanks of said buttons have been previously inserted. This feed-strip is guided to the feed-wheel through a channel, .i9,which has suitable means, as flanges 40 40, for guiding said strip. provided to lift the springs 25 and hold the same away from the buttons 28 until these shall have passed under said springs, after which the springs will pass oil the plate, and bearing upon the buttons will hold these with their shanks in groove 30 of the head H. The feed-wheel F being new rotated in the direction shown by the arrow, Fig. 3, the buttons 28 are carried by the teeth 23 of said wheel to a suitable position, as 45, to be attached to the fabric. At a suitable place, as 46, the strip 36 is deflected and guided away from the buttons 28 through a curved slot, thus re- The guard or cam-plate 3t leasing the shanks 29 thereof. This operation is effected by means of the wedge 46, as best shown in Fig. 4. Previous to this, however, the buttons are brought under full control of the revolving-carrier and the button-holding springs operating in conjunction therewith.

The operation of this improved machine is as follows: The parts of the machine being at rest, the driver D in about the position shown in Fig. 9, the'magazine M properly applied with fasteners, and the feed-wheel F with buttons, the fabric or other material, K, to which buttons areto be secured is placed in position on slide-cap E and under the settingdie, as shown in Fig. 4.. The gear G being now started in the direction shown by the arrow 47, Fig. 8, the driverD is moved up, carrying the fastener into the upper end of the driver-channel 4. As soon-as the driver D starts from the position shown in Fig. 9, the presser-slide S is forced up against the fabric by spring 21, pressing said fabric against the die, as shown in Figs 2 and 4, and the fabric pressing the button-head up against the plate F, which serves (besides being a carrier) the purpose of a stop for said heads. The continual upward movement of the driver then forces the fastener-prong through said fabric,

. through the shank of the button 45,and against the setting-die, and thereby sets the fasteners, all in the usual manner. lThe motion of the gear G being now reversed, the driver D is carried downward, and at the latter .part of its movement returns the presser-slide S to the position shown in Fig. 9. The feed-wheel F is moved forward one division, carrying the attached button 45 away from the setting-die and presenting another button ready to be attached to said material, K. 'All the parts are now returned to their original positions ready for a repetition of the entire operation.

It is generally desirable that the presscrslide should be lowered before the buttonshank comes to the setting-die. For this purpose the stop 5 is ordinarily used in its working position, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10; also, the movement of pawl 3lmay be somewhat in excess of the exact amount required to turn the ratchet 27 through the space of one tooth. In this way the movement of the carrier may be delayed in relation to the other movements of the machine for the purpose of lowering the slide more promptly away from the button which is being placed ready for setting.

It will be understood that this apparatus is capable of modification in various ways and degrees after the manner of machines in normally upheld by a spring, and having a driver-channel, a driver workingin said channel, a lever operatively connected to actuate said driver and through said driver to move down said slide, a rotary carrier for feeding buttons to position for setting above said channel, and connecting mechanism, substantially as described, between said lever and carrier,

the whole being timed and coacting to first move up together. the driver and presser-slide, then complete the upward stroke of the driver, next lower the driver and presser-slide, and complete together the downward stroke of said slide and the forward movement of the carrier, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a buttonsetting machine, of the setting-die having a cavity for receiving the button shank or eye, a revolving stop-plate in front of said die, limiting the upward movement of the button-head, and the button holding spring 25, fixed on said plate and operating to hold the button with its head against said plate and with its shank in said cavity, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a button-setting machine, of the carrier or feed-wheel, a frame supporting the carrier and having a passage for the button-strip,'and the incline arranged and operating to withdraw the said strip from the button-shanks after the button-heads are engaged by said carrier, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, in a button-setting machine, with a fixed frame having a groove for the button-shanks, of the rotary carrier engaging the buttons and operating to slide the same in said groove, and button-holdingsprings moving with said carrier and bearing on the button -heads,substantially as described.

5. The combination of the toothed carrier, the button-holding springs moving with said carrier, and the guard lifting said springs to admit the buttons thereunder, substantially as described.

6. The combination, in a button-setting machine, of a frame, as H, provided with a die, and bored to receive the hub of a revolving button-carrier, the carrier F, provided with a hub, 26, having its bearing in said-bore and having ratchet-teeth, lever 32, having a pawl acting on said teeth, and a screw or stud, 33, passing through'said carrier hub and lever, all substantially as set forth.,

7. The combination, with the grooved presser-slide, of the cap E, inclosing the upper end of said slide, and having means (as a setscrew or the like) for clamping the same against the grooved side of said slide, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination, in a machine of the class described, of the presser-slide, the driver sliding thereon, and a movable stop, substantially as described, carried on said slide, and

arranged to be moved under andfrom under the driver, substantially as set forth, and for the purpose specified.

9. The combination, in a machine of the class described, of the slide S, the driver, and the swinging stop 5, carried on said slide, said step having a stem furnished with a handle for operating the same, all substantially as set 12. The combination, in the button-feeding forth. mechanism of a 1nachine, of a guide for the 10. The combination, in :i button-setting mabutton-strip and a rotary toothed carrier opehinc, ot' the magazine M, the cover 6, and the erat-ing to feed said strip by the engagement of 5 follower 9, all arranged and operating subst-nn the carrier-teeth with the buttons on said strip, (5

tially as set forth. all snbstmitinlly as described.

11.. The combination, iimbntton-sctting [1151,- F LANCIS II. RICHARDS. chine, of the nmgnzine, the magazine-cover, \Vitnesscs: theiolloweiy'mnl the spring 8, all arranged CHAS. PECK,

IO and operating substantially as set forth. lflnmznn Knnrsrmrm. 

